Emergency medicine journal : EMJ
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Review Case Reports
BET 2: transtracheal ultrasound to confirm tracheal intubation in cardiopulmonary arrest.
A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether transtracheal ultrasonography can reliably identify tracheal placement of and endotracheal tube during cardiac arrest. Using the reported searches, 260 papers were found of which one presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. ⋯ It is concluded that transtracheal ultrasonography may be a supplementary tool for establishing the correct tracheal tube placement in cardiac arrest. Further work is needed.
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Review Case Reports
BET 1: ultrasound for the diagnosis and drainage of suspected peritonsillar abscess.
A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether intraoral ultrasound increased the accuracy of diagnosis and the success of aspiration in adults with suspected peritonsillar abscess (quinsy). Using the reported searches, one paper presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of this best paper are tabulated. It is concluded that emergency physician-performed intraoral ultrasound can reliably diagnose peritonsillar abscess and leads to greater success at aspiration when compared with the traditional landmark technique.
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Comparative Study
Is the case-mix of patients who self-present to ED similar to general practice and other acute-care facilities?
To benchmark walk-in presentations to emergency departments (ED) with those presenting to other local acute healthcare facilities. ⋯ Patients with injuries and possible cardiac chest pain were more likely to attend the ED, and those with infection or musculoskeletal problems less likely, as compared with other acute healthcare facilities. The population presenting to the ED is distinct from that presenting to general practice, out-of-hours clinics, or walk-in centres.